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Worksheet9th GradeLevel 2 · Standard

Free 9th Grade Parallel Structure and Balanced Sentences Worksheet

Students learn to keep items in a list, pairs joined by and, or and but, and comparisons in the same grammatical form, so that sentences are clear and rhythmic. They spot faulty parallelism, correct it, and then use parallel and balanced sentences for effect, including the rule of three and antithesis, as speech writers and essayists do.

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Grade
9th Grade
Subject
English
Topic
Sentences & Clauses
Difficulty
Level 2 · Standard
Estimated time
25 minutes
Curriculum
Texas grade levels (TEKS)
Questions
13
Answers
Included, with working
Format
PDF (A4), print or complete online

Students will practice

  • spotting parallel and non-parallel structures
  • correcting faulty parallelism in lists and pairs
  • keeping comparisons and paired conjunctions parallel
  • writing balanced sentences and antithesis for effect

Curriculum: Texas grade levels (TEKS). We show specific outcome codes only where they have been verified against the official curriculum document.

What's next?

Completed: Parallel Structure and Balanced Sentences

Ready for more? Move on to 10th Grade English.

How to use this worksheet

  1. Print the PDF or complete it on screen. Write the student's name and date at the top.
  2. Read the instructions for each part together before starting. Encourage working to be shown.
  3. Mark with the answer sheet. Use the model answers and success criteria as a guide rather than a single right answer.
  4. Record the score, celebrate what went well, then follow the "What's next" suggestion.

Common questions

Who is this worksheet for?

9th Grade students (typically ages 14–15) working on sentences & clauses. It is pitched at level 2 · standard.

Are the answers included?

Yes. The PDF includes a full answer sheet with model answers and success criteria where there is more than one good answer. You can also view the answers online.

How long does it take?

About 25 minutes for 13 questions. Short, regular sessions work best: two or three a week beats one long one.

Do I need to sign up to download?

No. Click Download Free PDF and it opens immediately. It is free for personal, classroom and homeschool use.

What should we do next?

Explore more 9th Grade english resources.

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Success TutoringWorksheets9th Grade · English · Sentences & Clauses

Parallel Structure and Balanced Sentences

Name

Date

Score /

Read your list aloud: if one item sounds out of step with the others, its grammatical form probably does not match.

Part A: Spot the parallel sentence

Parallel structure means that items doing the same job in a sentence use the same grammatical form: nouns with nouns, -ing words with -ing words, to + verb with to + verb. Circle the sentence with parallel structure.

1.Which sentence has parallel structure?
  1. AShe likes hiking, to swim and riding her bike.
  2. BShe likes hiking, swimming and riding her bike.
  3. CShe likes to hike, swimming and a bike ride.
  4. DShe likes hiking, swims and to ride her bike.
2.Which sentence has parallel structure?
  1. AThe job requires patience, being accurate and that you are friendly.
  2. BThe job requires patience, accuracy and friendliness.
  3. CThe job requires being patient, accuracy and to be friendly.
  4. DThe job requires patience, to be accurate and friendliness.
3.Which sentence has parallel structure?
  1. AThe coach told us to warm up, to stretch and that we should drink water.
  2. BThe coach told us to warm up, stretching and drink water.
  3. CThe coach told us to warm up, to stretch and to drink water.
  4. DThe coach told us warming up, to stretch and drinking water.
4.Which sentence uses a paired conjunction correctly?
  1. AThe plan was not only cheap but also it was quick.
  2. BThe plan was not only cheap but also quick.
  3. CNot only the plan was cheap but also quick.
  4. DThe plan not only was cheap but also quick to do it.

Part B: Fix the faulty parallelism

Rewrite each sentence so that the matching parts are parallel.

5.Our new teacher is kind, patient and has a lot of energy. (answer space)
6.I would rather walk to school than catching the bus. (answer space)
7.The report was long, hard to follow and contained many errors. (answer space)
8.Either you can email the form or print it. (answer space)
9.Reading builds vocabulary, improves concentration and you learn about the world. (answer space)

Part C: Parallel structure for effect

Writers use parallel structure on purpose to create rhythm and emphasis.

10.Which technique is used in We came for the view, we stayed for the people, and we left with stories.?
  1. Arule of three with parallel clauses
  2. Brhetorical question
  3. Cpassive voice
  4. Donomatopoeia
11.Which sentence uses antithesis (contrasting ideas in a balanced structure)?
  1. AThe storm was loud and frightening.
  2. BIt is easy to start a habit; it is hard to break one.
  3. CThe city lights shimmered like stars.
  4. DShe ran quickly, quietly and carefully.
12.Explain why parallel structure makes writing more persuasive. Use an example of your own.[2 marks] (answer space)
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Preview — the PDF contains the full resource and answer sheet.

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About this resource

Created by
Success Tutoring
Last reviewed
1 October 2026
How it was made
Written by our team

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